Etihad Rail’s Dubai–Abu Dhabi passenger journey begins: First train completes journey

It’s almost 5.30am, and crowds are beginning to trickle into Etihad Rail’s Al Yalayis Station in Dubai, ahead of the inaugural passenger service to Abu Dhabi.

Inside the station, the spacious concourse features a striking illuminated map of the UAE rail network, taking centre stage beneath the building’s sweeping, wave-like ceiling.

The first train is scheduled to depart at 6.14am, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 7.18am.

With less than an hour to go, excitement is building as Dubai prepares to mark a new chapter in inter-emirate travel.

Planning to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi on Etihad Rail today? You may want to book your tickets quickly, as several services are already selling out.

According to the Etihad Rail booking platform, both Comfort and Premium tickets for the 1.14pm departure are sold out, while Premium tickets for the first train at 6.14am are also unavailable.

Passengers hoping to travel on the 7.14am service have limited Premium availability, with just four seats remaining at the time of checking.

However, tickets are still available on other departures, with Comfort fares starting from Dh39 for the 5.14pm and 6.14pm services.

Availability and fares may change as bookings continue.

Planning to drop off a passenger or wait for someone at Etihad Rail’s Al Yalayis Station? Paid parking is available, with charges starting from Dh5 per hour.

Here’s a breakdown of the parking fees:

• Hourly parking: Dh5 per hour.

• Five hours or more: Dh30.

• Overnight parking (1am to 5am): Dh40.

Whether you are picking up a family member, waiting for an arriving passenger or planning to leave your car at the station, make sure to factor in the parking charges before your journey.

Less than 45 minutes to go! The countdown is officially on at Etihad Rail’s Al Yalayis Station in Dubai, as excitement builds ahead of the first passenger train to Abu Dhabi at 6.14am.

For Toby Joseph, an Indian expat who has lived in Dubai for three years, the launch of Etihad Rail is an occasion worth taking time off work for.

Joseph arrived at Al Yalayis Station with 11 colleagues from his real estate company, all eager to experience the inaugural Dubai–Abu Dhabi passenger service.

“We decided to take the morning off work to try the train. This is a big deal for the UAE and is about to change travel,” he said.

The group is among the early passengers gathering at the station ahead of the first departure at 6.14am.

For Patrik Ondricek, a student at Middlesex University Dubai from the Czech Republic, the launch of Etihad Rail is more than just a new way to travel.

Accompanied by his grandmother, Ondricek arrived at Al Yalayis Station to experience the inaugural Dubai–Abu Dhabi passenger service.

He believes the new railway could transform how residents travel between emirates, particularly by reducing their dependence on cars.

“Having a train connecting the emirates is going to change how people travel. It gives us another option instead of always relying on cars,” he said.

Live music, dance and plenty of excitement. Passengers arriving at Etihad Rail’s Al Yalayis Station are being welcomed with live performances as Dubai celebrates the launch of its first passenger service to Abu Dhabi.

Passengers have begun boarding Etihad Rail’s first Dubai–Abu Dhabi service at Al Yalayis Station, as the countdown to the historic 6.14am departure enters its final moments. Excitement is building as travellers prepare to experience a new chapter in inter-emirate travel!

A warm welcome before a historic journey. Passengers boarding Etihad Rail’s inaugural Dubai–Abu Dhabi service were greeted at Al Yalayis Station ahead of the first departure at 6.14am.

A historic journey deserves a special souvenir. Passengers travelling on Etihad Rail’s inaugural Dubai–Abu Dhabi service have received commemorative gifts to mark the milestone.

The specially designed gift box features a commemorative coin dated September 30, 2026, alongside a personalised luggage tag bearing the words, “I was part of the first journeys.”

The tag also features an illustration of Dubai’s skyline and Al Yalayis Station.

For passengers aboard the first service, the keepsakes offer a lasting reminder of their place in a new chapter of UAE transport history.

Passengers aboard Etihad Rail’s inaugural Dubai–Abu Dhabi service are being treated to a taste of Emirati hospitality, with Arabic coffee and specially prepared chocolates served on board.

The sweet treats include dates and loumi chocolate, alongside crispy rahash chocolate, offering travellers a memorable start to their historic journey between the two emirates.

A beautiful start to the day. Passengers aboard Etihad Rail’s first Dubai–Abu Dhabi service watch the sunrise from the train as the historic journey gets underway.

Passengers aboard Etihad Rail’s inaugural Dubai–Abu Dhabi service are being treated to a taste of Emirati hospitality, with Arabic coffee and specially prepared chocolates served on board.

The sweet treats include dates and loumi chocolate, alongside crispy rahash chocolate, offering travellers a memorable start to their historic journey between the two emirates.

At Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi, the first train of the day departed at 6.40am, officially kicking off passenger service.

The first train of the day pulled out of the station at 6:40am, kicking off service. All eyes are now on MBZ Station, where the first arriving train from Dubai is expected at 7:18am.

Passengers stepping off will be greeted by the day's first welcome ceremony at the station. Back here, station staff Yassin Omari and Fida Abdulqader, along with the rest of the team, are ready to welcome both arriving and departing passengers.

We're now just 30 minutes away from Abu Dhabi aboard Etihad Rail's inaugural passenger service from Dubai.

The historic journey began at 6.14am from Al Yalayis Station, with passengers experiencing the new inter-emirate connection for the first time.

The train is scheduled to arrive at Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station at 7.18am, marking another milestone for the UAE's passenger railway network

Etihad Rail’s first passengers receive special commemorative gifts to mark the launch of passenger services.

Speakers at Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station announce the arrival of Etihad Rail’s first train from Dubai, marking a milestone moment for the new Dubai–Abu Dhabi passenger service.

Passengers disembark Etihad Rail’s first train from Dubai after arriving at Mohamed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Rail’s inaugural passenger train from Dubai has arrived at Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi, completing its historic first journey between the two emirates.

The train departed Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station at 6.14am, marking the official launch of the much-anticipated passenger service.

And the journey doesn’t end here. The next train from Abu Dhabi to Dubai is scheduled to depart at 7.43am, giving passengers another opportunity to experience the new inter-emirate rail connection.

The launch marks a major milestone in the UAE’s expanding passenger railway network.

For Mariam Kabddora, a Filipina resident who has lived in the UAE for 19 years, travelling on Etihad Rail for the first time was an experience she had eagerly anticipated.

Mariam was so excited about her journey from Abu Dhabi to Dubai that she could barely sleep the night before. However, she missed the first train departing Abu Dhabi at 6.43am.

“I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep last night. I missed the first train, but luckily, I managed to get tickets for the next one,” she said.

Despite the initial setback, Mariam was determined not to miss out on experiencing the UAE’s newest passenger rail service.

Katerina DjKattyLeen, was the first passenger to ride Etihad Rail from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, and she says the experience gave her goosebumps.

"I was full of goosebumps because it's the first experience," she said.

She bought two tickets, one in Premium and one in Comfort, just to compare the classes.

The food also impressed her, and she was most surprised by the cutlery.

Would she leave the car at home? Definitely. Katerina said she would drop the car for the train whenever she needs to travel to Abu Dhabi.

Passengers departing from Abu Dhabi were given a traditional welcome at Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station, with music and dance marking the start of their Etihad Rail journey.

Dmitrii Mednikov and Rodion travelled from Dubai to Abu Dhabi together to compare the train with driving. One took the train and the other drove. The train arrived about four minutes sooner.

"It is definitely easier and more comfortable to be sitting in a train than stuck in traffic in a car or spending a lot of time finding a parking spot," Dmitrii said.

He added that during peak hours, the train would definitely be the fastest option.

Rodion was surprised by the level of comfort on board.

"Inside, it is very, very beautiful train. We are from Russia and we remember trains in Russia, but this is next level. Very modern, one of the best trains I have experienced," he said.

Both are expats, and both came to Abu Dhabi to experience the city.

For Garish Jain, who has lived in Dubai for six years, the inaugural Etihad Rail journey was an experience he did not want to miss.

“We actually wanted to take the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah train but were unable to. So this time, I wanted to be on the first train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi,” he said.

“I have been waiting for this for the last five to six months, and the moment it was announced, we booked our tickets immediately.”

But Jain’s journey doesn’t end in Abu Dhabi. He is taking the next train straight back to Dubai.

For Emirati passenger Buti Alnuaimi, travelling aboard Etihad Rail’s inaugural Dubai–Abu Dhabi service was a moment of national pride.

“I also took the Fujairah–Abu Dhabi train, and it was a smooth experience. When I was a child, we used to travel by train in Europe, but now experiencing it here in the UAE, especially between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is amazing. I am proud of this as an Emirati,” he said.

Alnuaimi also praised the convenience of the service.

“Booking tickets is simple, and the stations are well organised. This is a big achievement for the UAE,” he added.

Omar El-Gahed, an engineer based in Dubai, arrived in Abu Dhabi as one of the first passengers on today's second Etihad Rail service from Dubai to Mohammed Bin Zayed City. For a man who drives to work every day, the new train is a big relief.

"I work in Abu Dhabi, so I have been travelling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi daily for the last year. It's a very good opportunity to use the train today and see how it goes, and hopefully we will use it to commute every day," he said.

The drive usually takes him up to two hours each way.

He described the journey as an amazing and smooth experience that exceeded his expectations.

"We are in the UAE, so everything is always above expectations, and this was really above what I had. The train is very well organised, and everything inside is very good quality. It was really nice," he said.

Sultan Lootah, who works in Abu Dhabi, was among the first passengers to ride Etihad Rail from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, and he described the journey as amazing.

He has used the Dubai Metro before, but says this is something different.

"This is a different experience. It interconnects between cities, and it is a new experience for residents and locals in the UAE. It was wonderful," he said.

For Lootah, the biggest gain is time and stress.

"It's a new means of transportation for us. It eases the length of the route, and probably the stress of driving as well. You can commute, do other things, drink your coffee, have your breakfast, do some work, so it's much easier," he said.

Passengers were also handed souvenirs as they boarded the first journeys from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, a gesture that made the trip feel special.

"It was a welcoming, warm experience," he said.

We are now back in Dubai. After departing Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station at 7.43am, our train arrived at Al Yalayis Station at 8.47am, completing the return journey in just over an hour.

Passengers on Etihad Rail's first Dubai to Abu Dhabi service got a view no motorway can offer: camels.

Sanalina Gomez had come to Dubai for an appointment. When she realised the train to Abu Dhabi was starting service that same day, she booked a ticket. Then, out of the window, she spotted camels.

"I saw some camels, you know. Yeah, so beautiful, really, really beautiful," she said.

For Gomez, the camels were the highlight, and part of a bigger cultural experience. The camels outside, the coffee and food inside.

"You enjoy the culture, the food culture. I enjoyed my coffee," she said.

She called the ride awesome and very fast.

She also thinks the train will help people who travel often between the two cities and currently rely on the bus.

"Sometimes you need to take a bus, and the bus is slow," she said.

Passengers step off the Etihad Rail train at Al Yalayis Station after arriving in Dubai from Abu Dhabi.

For Anusha Santosh, Etihad Rail’s inaugural journey has changed how she plans to travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

“Even though the train travels at speeds of up to 200km/h, you don’t feel any jerks or uneasiness. The journey was smooth, and it felt like first-class service, from the food and tea to the spacious seats,” she said.

Based in Abu Dhabi, Santosh said the experience has convinced her to switch from driving to taking the train.

For Mohammad Abdullah, an Indian expat in the UAE, experiencing Etihad Rail’s inaugural service meant taking a round trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and back.

“I wanted to be on the first train, and everything felt smooth. The train was fast, and you barely feel the journey compared to travelling by car,” he said.

But what impressed him most was the food.

“We had so many options, from cheese paratha and omelettes to karak and chocolates. I wasn’t expecting so much.”

His friend Nitasha, visiting the UAE from India for business, was equally impressed.

“As a visitor, the train ride was amazing. It was clean, hygienic and the service was great. When I return to the UAE, I will definitely use it again,” she said.

For Missar Vengadan, an Indian expat who has lived in the UAE for 21 years, Etihad Rail could change how he travels between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Vengadan, who travelled with his wife from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, said the experience exceeded his expectations.

“I live in Abu Dhabi, but I’m moving to Dubai soon. I think I’ll use my car less now because the journey was so fast and smooth,” he said.

“The service and hospitality were top-notch. I will definitely return again,” he added.

For Reyazus Salekeen, an Indian expat who has lived in the UAE for three years, Etihad Rail has become a family favourite.

After experiencing the inaugural Abu Dhabi–Fujairah service, the family returned for the first Dubai–Abu Dhabi journey.

“We enjoyed the first journey so much that we had to come again. My kids even took leave from school because they were so excited,” he said.

“The journey doesn't even feel like a train ride. It's almost like flying business class,” he added.

Salekeen also praised Al Yalayis Station’s direct Dubai Metro connection, saying he plans to use it on his next journey. He hopes future network expansion, including a potential connection to Oman, will make rail travel even more convenient.

Etihad Rail’s official mascots hand out gifts to passengers at Al Yalayis Station in Dubai during the inaugural Dubai–Abu Dhabi service.